Palm m125 Handheld:

 The Palm m125 is similar to the Palm m100 and m105 in its shape and classic, powerful Palm organizer functions. But it also offers several features that elevate it above the other two models--a memory card expansion slot, bonus software, and compatibility with peripherals for i705 and m500 series models.

  The curved base of the Palm m125 fits snugly and comfortably in the palm of your hand. It features a protective cover that flips up and is flexible at the end--a nice touch to prevent damage if you scrape it against anything while opening. It also has a window on the cover that lets you check the time by pressing the button that pokes through.

  Like other Palm handhelds the Palm m125 doesn't have a keyboard. Instead, you write shorthand-like strokes on the special writing area at the bottom of the backlit grayscale screen, which the m125 recognizes as letters. You can also tap with the stylus to type letters using an onscreen keyboard, as well as open menus and select icons. (For more keying power, you might consider the optional Palm portable keyboard.)

  The Palm operating system (OS) is very efficient, so the 8 MB memory is enough to store a lot of data and quite a few applications, too. If you want to add more applications or content, you have two choices. First, you can find applications and e-books on the Web, download them to your desktop or laptop hard drive, and synchronize the data using the USB HotSync cradle, which attaches to the Palm universal connector at the base of the handheld. It's the same connector as on the m500 and m505 and Palm has promised to support it for three years, so there should be plenty of peripherals available.

  Your other option is to use the expansion slot on the side of the handheld, which accepts Secure Digital (SD) and MultiMediaCard (MMC) memory cards. Palm offers a number of expansion cards with content (such as e-books and Lonely Planet travel guides), applications (the PalmPak language translator, for example), and games. You can also store applications and content on memory cards (such as those from Viking or SanDisk) without sacrificing any of the Palm m125's 8 MB memory.

  The Palm m125 comes with Palm OS 4.0, which has new e-mail and Web browsing software, and enables you to send SMS (Short Message Service). You can use infrared to connect to your cell phone for a wireless connection, or add an optional modem to connect to a standard phone line.

  In addition to the standard built-in utilities and the Palm Desktop application (for both Windows and Mac), you get extra software including an e-book reader, Documents To Go (for viewing and editing Word and Excel documents), and AvantGo (which downloads Web content, such as news from BBC or the latest soccer scores).

  For a budget PDA, the small, light Palm m125 has some nice design touches, is loaded with software extras, and can be customized with thousands of available Palm OS applications. It may not be the most powerful PDA on the market, but its expansion capabilities certainly kick it up a notch. --Mary Branscombe and Agen G.N. Schmitz

Pros:

Cons:

Description:

  Expand your horizons and organize your busy schedule with the Palm m125 handheld. With 8 MB of memory, a USB HotSync cradle, and a new expansion card slot, the curvy, sleek Palm m125 offers lots of computing power and versatility. You'll be able to add more powerful applications and store thousands of memos, appointments, addresses, and to-do items.

  The Palm m125 handheld comes with Palm's classic information management applications, including Date Book, Address Book, To-Do List, and Memo Pad. You can also jot down notes quickly using the Notepad feature, which works like an electronic sticky note.

  Additionally, the Palm m125 comes with a CD-ROM packed with bonus productivity, communication, and entertainment software--including AOL for Palm, MultiMail SE (for e-mail), DataViz Documents to Go (for viewing Word and Excel documents), Palm Reader (for e-books), AvantGo (for Web content after synchronization or with Internet connection), and Vindigo (for finding places to eat and shop).

  You can back up data with your PC or Macintosh in seconds with the included USB HotSync cradle. And it works with all the same accessories as the Palm m100 handheld--including keyboard, digital camera, and an array of color faceplates.

  A rubberized flip cover protects your handheld screen when it's not in use. It features a window so you can quickly view the time and alarm reminder messages when your handheld cover is closed. And, as with other Palm handhelds, you can use the infrared port to instantly exchange and store information--such as business card data--at the touch of a button.

  With the expansion card slot, you can back up your data without synchronizing with your PC, expand the memory capacity to hold e-books and other applications, and add modules such as a dictionary-thesaurus and Lonely Planet CitySync guides. It is compatible with both MultiMediaCards (MMCs) and Secure Digital (SD) cards.

  The Palm m125 handheld ships with desktop and HotSync software for both PC and Macintosh systems. The HotSync cradle connects to your computer's USB port. To connect to a PC or Mac serial port, you will need to order the optional serial cradle.

  The m125 comes with a USB HotSync cradle, a stylus, a protective flip-cover, and two AAA alkaline batteries. It is backed by a one-year warranty.

Features:

Technical data: